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DESCRIPTION
Caproic acid, also known as hexanoic acid, is a saturated medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) with a six-carbon backbone.
It occurs naturally in animal fats, coconut oil, and dairy products.
Caproic acid is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors due to its unique flavoring properties and chemical versatility.
Cas Number
142-62-1
Synonyms
Hexanoic acid, n-Hexanoic acid, C6 fatty acid, Caproate
Caproic acid is an important fatty acid found in trace amounts in goat milk, palm oil, and certain animal fats.
It has a pungent odor and is commonly used in food flavoring, fragrance formulations, and industrial applications.
Caproic acid plays a key role in lipid metabolism and serves as an intermediate in the synthesis of various esters and derivatives.
Chemical Composition and Structure
Caproic acid consists of a six-carbon straight-chain structure with a carboxyl (-COOH) functional group at one end.
This molecular arrangement gives it moderate solubility in water and excellent miscibility with organic solvents.
Its short-chain length contributes to its high volatility and characteristic odor.
Production Methods
Caproic acid can be produced through both natural and synthetic methods:
1. **Natural Extraction:** Obtained from animal fats, palm oil, or fermentation of organic matter.
2. **Chemical Synthesis:** Manufactured via oxidation of hexanol or catalytic hydrolysis of esters.
3. **Biotechnological Production:** Fermentation of renewable biomass using microorganisms to create sustainable sources of caproic acid.
Properties of Caproic Acid
Physical Properties:
• **Appearance:** Colorless to pale yellow liquid
• **Odor:** Rancid, goat-like smell
• **Melting Point:** -3.4°C
• **Boiling Point:** 205°C
• **Solubility:** Partially soluble in water, fully soluble in alcohol and ether
Chemical Properties:
• **Moderately acidic** with a pKa of approximately 4.85
• **Reacts with bases** to form hexanoate salts
• **Esterifies with alcohols** to form esters used in flavors and fragrances
Thermal and Rheological Properties:
• Highly volatile compared to long-chain fatty acids
• Low viscosity and surface tension, allowing its use in emulsions
• Remains stable under moderate heating conditions
Applications of Caproic Acid
1. Food and Flavor Industry
• Used as a flavoring agent in dairy products and alcoholic beverages
• Enhances butter, cheese, and meat flavors
• Precursor for ester-based flavor compounds
2. Pharmaceutical and Health Applications
• Used in lipid-based drug formulations
• Acts as an antimicrobial agent in food preservation
• Plays a role in metabolic and dietary research
3. Industrial and Chemical Applications
• Intermediate in the synthesis of esters, lubricants, and plasticizers
• Used in the formulation of animal feed additives
• Applied in specialty coatings and surfactants
Environmental and Health Impact
Caproic acid is biodegradable and naturally occurring, posing minimal environmental risk. It is classified as a low-toxicity substance, but exposure to concentrated forms may cause skin irritation.
Proper handling and storage are essential to prevent excessive inhalation of its strong odor.
Future Potential and Developments
Research into sustainable production methods, such as microbial fermentation, is making caproic acid a more eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based chemicals.
The expansion of its applications in biodegradable plastics, renewable energy, and novel pharmaceuticals is expected to drive market demand.
Caproic acid is a valuable fatty acid with wide-ranging applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors.
Its chemical versatility, combined with its natural occurrence, makes it an important compound for both traditional and emerging industries.
Future advancements in sustainable production and application development will further enhance its global significance.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT CAPROIC ACID
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product.
